A suspected retail thief stole more than $20,000 in merchandise in several stores across Chicago, authorities said Friday. 

Jerome Williams, 19, was arrested Thursday nearly 200 miles away from the city in Galesburg, Illinois, the Chicago Police Department said. 

He is charged with five felony counts of retail theft over $300 and one count of continuing a financial crimes enterprise, police said.

The alleged thefts occurred on Dec. 9 and Dec. 10 in the 800 block of North Michigan Avenue; Dec. 12 and Dec. 21 in the 1600 block of North Damen Avenue; and Dec. 21 in the 900 block of West North Avenue.

Williams was scheduled to appear in court Friday. 

Large-scale retail thefts have plagued multiple cities, including Chicago. In January, a store was taken for more than $50,000 in merchandise by a group a day after the shop was featured in a local news profile.  

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